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Communist Party Expels Two Military Leaders for Factionalism

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:39 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Communist Party expelled Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for factionalism and disloyalty.
Zhang Youxia served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Liu Zhenli chaired the PLA Joint Staff Department and sat on the Central Military Commission.
Investigation began Jan 24, accusing them of severe discipline violations and duty-related crimes.
Their removal leaves President Xi Jinping and Vice-Chairman Zhang Shengmin as the only members of the Central Military Commission.

History

Historical Context

After Lin Biao, Mao’s designated successor since 1966, died in a September 1971 plane crash, the Party expelled more than 1,000 senior officers linked to his clique, consolidating Mao’s control over the PLA. In 2024, Xi Jinping’s Central Military Commission removed Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff chief Liu Zhenli, leaving only Xi and Zhang Shengmin, echoing the long-standing pattern of Party-led military purges.

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Story summary

The Communist Party expelled Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli for factionalism and disloyalty.
Zhang Youxia served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Liu Zhenli chaired the PLA Joint Staff Department and sat on the Central Military Commission.
Investigation began Jan 24, accusing them of severe discipline violations and duty-related crimes.
Their removal leaves President Xi Jinping and Vice-Chairman Zhang Shengmin as the only members of the Central Military Commission.

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